Universal shoulder immobilizing support

ABSTRACT

A support intended to be used to immobilize either shoulder of any one of a wide range of different size persons. The support includes a chest band having an open cell plastic foam sheeting, e. g., a polyurethane reticulated foam, constituting the inner surface thereof and a Velcro sensitive material covering the outer surface, a Velcro hooked member is attached to one end of the chest band for overlapping and grippingly engaging the outer surface to detachably hold the chest band snugly around the chest of different size persons. An upper arm band is included which may be detachably secured to the chest band at infinite locations thereon selectively for the size of the user for immobilizing the upper arm of the user. Also included is a wrist band which may be detachably secured to the chest band at infinite locations thereon selectively for the size of the user, thus immobilizing the forearm of the user.

United States Patent [191 Garnett Dec. 25, 1973 UNIVERSAL SHOULDERIMMOBILIZING SUPPORT [75] Inventor: Robert E. Garnett, Memphis, Tenn.

[73] Assignee: Richards Manufacturing Company, Memphis, Tenn.

[22] Filed: Dec. 28, 1971 [21] Appl. No.1 212,958

Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet Assistant ExaminerJ. YaskoAtt0rney-.lohn R. Walker, 111

[ 5 7] ABSTRACT A support intended to be used to immobilize eithershoulder of any one of a wide range of different size persons. Thesupport includes a chest band having an open cell plastic foam sheeting,e. g., a polyurethane reticulated foam, constituting the inner surfacethereof and a Velcro sensitive material covering the outer surface, aVelcro hooked member is attached to one end of the chest band foroverlapping and grippingly engaging the outer surface to detachably holdthe chest band snugly around the chest of different size persons. Anupper arm band is included which may be detachably secured to the chestband at infinite locations thereon selectively for the size of the userfor immobilizing the upper arm of the user. Also included is a wristband which may be detachably secured to the chest band at infinitelocations thereon selectively for the size of the user,.thusimmobilizing the forearm of the user.

4 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PAIENTED 3.780.729

I I3 I 1:: 52f W INVENTOR ROBERT E. GARNETT MM 5 W UNIVERSAL SHOULDERIMMOBILIZING SUPPORT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of theInvention:

This invention relates to devices for immobilizing the shoulder of aperson.

2. Description of the Prior Art:

The state of the prior art as known to the applicant includes theStevens US. Pat. No. 3,515,131 which does not readily lend itself towarda universal application. In other words, prior known shoulder supportsare manufactured in different sizes to accommodate the wide range ofdifferent size persons. Certain of these prior supports include laces orbuckles for making limited adjustments. However, this usually resultedin unsatisfactory fit. Other known supports include a chest band whichdoes not allow for free passage of air; accordingly, these supports arevery warm, causing the patient to perspire profusely; Other knownsupports include stiffeners such as bulky metal stays which oftimescause bruises or skin ulcers to develop. Other prior supports have hardspots caused by overlapping or wrinkling of the chest band which causeskin bruises.

Other prior art known to applicant include: Smitley U.S. Pat. No.114,615; Gaiter US. Pat. No. 794,457; Peterson US. Pat. No. 2,560,243;Goldstein US. Pat. No. 3,400,710; and Hirschtick Utility Shoulder Splintin Fracture Appliances catalog by DePuy Manufacturing Co., Inc., Warsaw,Ind., 1954, p. 9. None of these above-mentioned references discloseapplicants concept, as will be apparent from the description to follow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed towardsovercoming the disadvantages and problems relative to previous shoulderimmobilizing supports. An important feature of the present invention isits universal adaptability to either shoulder of any one of a wide rangeof different size persons. In other words, the present inventioneliminates the necessity for maintaining a large inventory of odd sizeshoulder immobilizing supports.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide ashoulder and arm immobilizing support which not only may be used for awide range for different size persons, but firmly and securely holds thepersons shoulder and arm in place without the danger of shifting orbecoming loose or detached.

Thus, one of the important features of the present invention is theunique arrangement of the holding means for the wrist cuff in which anX-like configuration is employed to provide optimum holding power yetpermit the desired adjustment. The importance of this feature can beappreciated when it is considered that the constant weight of theforearm on the cuff and the accentuation thereof caused by the jostlingof the forearm when the patient is walking, would otherwise permit thelikelihood of detachment of the Velcro from the chest band were it notfor the holding power of the X- like configuration of the presentinvention.

Another important feature of the present invention is the uniquearrangement of the arm band member which includes a rearwardlyextending-portion for pulling'the user's arm rearwardly and securelyclose in to the chest band.

The support of the present invention includes a chest band constructedfrom an open cell plastic foam sheeting, e.g., a polyurethanereticulated foam constituting the inner surface or inner ply of thechest band. Additionally, Velcro sensitive material or micro-filamentlooped pile fabric is provided which constitutes the outer ply andpreferably covers the entire outer surface thereof. 1

A piece of bristly fabric having a multiplicity of minute resilientbooks on the front side thereof, well known in the art as a Velcroelement, is included for coacting operably with the above-describedouter ply and is attached transversely to one end of the chest band.Accordingly, the chest band may be snugly fitted around the chest ofdifferent size persons by overlapping the hook element along the lengthof the outer surface. The hook member grippingly engages the outersurface to detachably hold the chest band at infinite l0- cations alongthe length thereof.

An upper arm band is included which-may be detachably secured to thechest band at infinite locations thereon selectively for the size oftheuser to immobilize the upper arm of the user. Also included is awrist cuff which may be detachably secured to the chest band at infinitelocations thereon selectively for the size of the user to immobilize theforearm of the user.

The chestband of the shoulder immobilizing support of the presentinvention is spongy, non-allergenic, and allows for free passage of airto the skin which keeps the patient cool, comfortable and dry.Additionally, a contoured fit of the shoulder immobilizing support ofthe present invention is assured with notable absence of bulky metalstays which eliminates bruises caused by these or wrinkled and hardspots of prior devices. The support of the present invention may bewashed or autoclaved. Further, the shoulder immobilizing support of thepresent invention may be removed when retiring or bathing and re-appliedby inexperienced personnel who may readily properly position the supportto the shoulder of the patient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view of thechest band for the universal shoulder immobilizing support of thepresent invention with the view taken of the inner liner depicting inphantom a typical location for engagement of the upper arm band and thewrist cuff members.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken as on the line lI-II of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational view of the upper arm band member.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken as on the line IVIV of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged elevational view of the wrist cuff member.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken as on the line VI-VI of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 depicts the universal shoulder immobilizing support of thepresent invention in a typical environment as it might appear whenviewed from the front when worn by a user.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken as on line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken as on the line IX-IX of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. 7 of thedrawings, wherein it may be seen that the universal shoulderimmobilizing support 11 of the present invention generally includes achest band member 13 (also see FIGS. 1 and 2), an upper arm band member15 (also see FIGS. 3, 4, and 8), and a wrist cuff member 17 (also seeFIGS. 4, 5 and 9).

The elongated chest band member 13 is intended to circumferentiallyengage the chest of a person, i. e., any one of a wide range ofdifferent size persons. The midportion thereof preferably is providedwith inwardly directed arcuate portions 19, 21 to enable the chest bandmember 13 to be worn high on the chest of the user and not extendupwardly into his armpit as clearly illus trated in FIG. 7 of thedrawings. In other words, when immobilizing a users right shoulder, oneof the arcuate portions, e. g., arcuate portion 19, would be adjacentthe users right arm pit. Conversely, when immobilizing the users leftshoulder, the opposite arcuate portion, e. g., the arcuate portion 21,would be adjacent the users left arm pit.

The chest band member l3 includes an inner ply of open cell plastic foam23, e. g., a polyurethane reticulated foam. An outer ply ofmicro-filament looped pile fabric 25, e. g., nylon or the like, isincluded and is preferably bonded to the inner ply 23. A piece ofbristly fabric 27 is included which has a multiplicity of minuteresilient hooks on the front side thereof, i. e., well known in the artas a Velcro element. The back side of the bristly fabric 27 contiguouslyengages the inner ply 23 and is attached thereto adjacent one end of thechest band member 13 by suitable means, as stitching. in other words,the front side of the bristly fabric 27 or the hooks are directedinwardly to overlappingly and grippingly engage the outer ply 25 forcoacting operably therewith selectively along the length thereof todetachably hold the chest band member 13 snugly around the chest ofdifferent size persons.

The upper arm band member 15 includes an elongated weblike member 29having first and second sides 31, 33 thereto and is detachably attachedto the chest band member 13 in a mannner yet to be described bybindingly engaging the upper arm of the user. A piece of bristly fabric35, substantially identical to the previously-described bristly fabric27, is included and has the back side thereof contiguously engaging thefirst side 31 of the member 29 and is fixedly attached thereto, as bystitching at 35 intermediate the length thereof to divide the elongatedweblike member 29 into a pair of free ends 37, 39 and for detachablyholding the upper arm band member 15 to the chest band member 13 atvarious locations thereon.

The arm band member 15 also includes an additional piece of bristlyfabric 41 having proximal and distal ends 43, thereto. The bristlyfabric 41, which is substantially identical to the previously-describedbristly fabric 27, is disposed with the back side thereof contiguouslyengaging the second side 33 of the weblike member 29 and is fixedlyattached, as by stitching, to a portion of the free end 37 adjacent theoutermost end thereof.

The arm band member 15 additionally includes a piece of micro-filamentlooped pile fabric 47 for coacting operatively with the proximal end 43of the bristly fabric 41 to detachably secure the free ends 37, 39adjustably one to the other, i. e., the weblike chamber 29circumferentially engaging the arm of the user. The looped pile 47 hasthe back side thereof contiguously engaging the first side 31 of theweblike member 29 adjacent the outer end of the free end 39 and isfixedly attached thereto, as by stitching. More specifically, the upperarm band 15 is adapted to have the second side 33 of the weblike member29 contiguously engaging the upper portion of the users arm (FIG. 8)with a portion of the second side 33 thereof overlapping a portion ofthe first side 31 and with the proximal end 43 of the bristly fabric 41coating operatively with the looped pile fabric 47 which is attached tothe first side 31.

An important feature of the present invention is that the distal end 45of the bristly fabric 41 extends rearward of the users arm and engagesthe outer portion or outer ply 25 of the chest band member 13. In otherwords, the distal end 45 of the bristly fabric 41 coacts operativelywith the outer ply 25 to further hold the upper arm band member 15 tothe chest band member 13 in a manner which pulls the users upper armrearwardly and close in to the chest band 13.

The wrist cuff member 17 includes an elongated weblike member 49 forbindingly engaging the wrist of the user. At least a pair of elongatedpieces of bristly fabric 51, 53 are included which are preferablyarranged in an X-like configuration substantially as depicted in FIG. 5of the drawings. The fabric pieces 51, 53 are attached one to the otherand to the weblike member 49 in any well known manner as by stitches 54or the like intermediate thereof to divide the wrist weblike member 49into a pair of free ends 55, 57. The pieces of bristly fabric 51, 53 aresubstantially identical to the previouslydescribed piece of bristlyfabric 27. Accordingly, the bristly fabric pieces 51, 53 are disposedwith the front sides, i. e., having the resilient hooks thereon,directed outwardly from the weblike member 49 in a nonparallelrelationship one with the other and with the longitudinal axes thereofbeing disposed in a nonparallel non-perpendicular relationship with theweblike member 49, as clearly shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings. Thisarrangement of the bristly fabric pieces 51, 53 and the weblike member49 is an important concept of the present invention since thisarrangement provides optimum holding power for holding the wrist cuffmember 17 to the chest band member 13. Thus, this X- like configurationgives a holding power which is able to withstand considerable pullingforces as opposed to the situation which would exist with a single pieceof bristly fabric disposed vertically or horizontally.

The wrist cuff member 17 additionally includes means attached to theweblike member 49 for detachably securing the free ends 55, 57adjustably one to the other. More specifically, one side of the weblikemember 49 adjacent the free end thereof is provided with a piece ofmicrofilament looped pile fabric 59 attached thereto, as by stitching,and the other side of the weblike member 49 adjacent the outer end ofthe free end 57 thereof is provided with a piece of bristly fabric 61attached thereto, as by stitching, and is substantially identical to thepreviously-described bristly fabric 27. The bristly fabric 61 operatescoactively with the looped pile 59 for detachably securing the free ends55, 57 of the weblike member 49 adjustably one to the other, as bestillustrated'in'FIG. 9 of the drawings. Also, weblike member 49preferably includesa inner'ply 63 of open cell pastic foam, e. g., apolyurethane reticulated foam.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respectto a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that it is notto be so limited since changes and modifications may be made thereinwhich are within the full intended scope of the invention.

1 claim:

1. A support for immobilizing the shoulder of any one I of a wide rangeof different size persons, said support comprising elongated chest bandmeans for circumferentially engaging the chest of the person; said chestband means including an inner ply of an open cell plastic foam, an outerpoly of micro-filament looped pile fabric with said inner ply and saidouter poly being bonded one to the other, and first bristly fabric meanshaving a multiplicity of minute resilient hook means on the front sidethereof for coacting operatively with said outer ply, said first bristlyfabric means contiguously engaging said inner ply and being attachedthereto adjacent one end thereof with said front side of said fabricmeans being directed inwardly to overlappingly and grippingly engagesaid outer ply selectively along the length thereof to detachably holdsaid chest band means snugly around the chest of different size persons;elongated upper arm band means including first elongated web means forbindingly engaging the upper arm of the person, second bristly fabricmeans attached to said first elongated web means intermediate thereof todivide said first elongated web means into a pair of free ends, saidsecond bristly fabric means having a multiplicity of minute resilienthook means on the front side thereof for grippingly coacting with saidouter ply of said chest band means to detachably hold said upper armband means to said chest band means at infinite locations along thelength thereof, means for detachably securing said free ends of saidfirst elongated web means adjustably one to the other, and third bristlyfabric means attached to one of said free ends of said first elongatedweb means, said third bristly fabric means having a multiplicity ofminute resilient hook means on the front side thereof for grippinglycoacting with said outer ply of said chest band means to further holdsaid upper arm band to said chest band means in a manner which pulls thepersons upper arm rearwardly; and wrist cuff means including secondelongated web means for bindingly engaging the wrist of the person,fourth bristly fabric means attached to said second elongated web meansintermediate thereof to divide said second elongated web means into apair of free ends, said fourth bristly fabric means having amultiplicity of minute resilient hook means on the front side thereoffor grippingly coacting with said outer poly of said chest band meansdetachably hold said wrist cuff means at infinite locations on saidchest band means, and means for detachably securing said free ends ofsaid second elongated web means adjustably one to the other.

2. The support of claim lin which said fourth bristly fabric means ofsaid wrist cuff means includes two elongated pieces of said bristlyfabric means, said two pieces being perpendicularly disposed one withthe other and with the longitudinal axes thereof being obliquelyarranged with the longitudinal axis of said second elongated web meansto provide optimum holding power for holding said wrist cuff means tosaid chest band means.

rearwardly.

3. A support for immobilizing the shoulder of a user, said supportcomprising elongated chest band means for bindingly engaging the chestof the user, said chest band means including at least an outer portionthereof formed of micro-filament looped pile fabric, means fordetachably holding said chest band means snugly around the chest of theuser; wrist cuff means including an elongated wrist weblike member forbindingly engaging the wrist of the user, bristly fabric means attachedto said weblike member intermediate thereof to divide said wrist weblikemember into a pair of free ends and for detachably holding said wristcuff means to said chest band means, and means attached to said wristweblike member for detachably securing said free ends adjustably one tothe other; said bristly fabric means including at least two elongatedpieces of fabric having a multiplicity of minute resilient hook means onthe front sides thereof for coacting operatively with said outer portionof looped pile, said bristly fabric pieces being disposed with the frontsides thereof directed outwardly from said wrist weblike member in anonparallel relationship one with the other and with the longitudinalaxes thereof being disposed in a nonparallel non-perpendicularrelationship with said weblike member to provide optimum holding powerfor holding said wrist cuff means to said chest band means.

4. A support for immobilizing the shoulder of a user, said supportcomprising elongated chest band means for bindingly engaging the chestof the user, said chest band means including at least an outer portionthereof formed of micro-filament looped pile fabric, means fordetachably holding said chest band means snugly around the chest of theuser, upper arm band means including an elongated upper arm weblikemember having first and second sides thereto for bindingly engaging theupper arm of the user and at least two pieces of a bristly fabric havinga multiplicity of minute resilient hook means on the front sidesthereof; the first of said two pieces contiguously engaging said firstside of said weblike member, having said front side thereof directedoutwardly from said first side, and being fixedly attached to saidweblike member intermediate thereof to divide said upper arm weblikemember into a pair of free ends and for detachably holding said upperarm band means to said chest band means at various locations thereon;the second one of said two pieces of bristly fabric having proximal anddistal ends thereto and being disposed with the one side thereofcontiguously engaging said second side of said weblike member, havingsaid front side thereof directed outwardly from said second side, andbeing fixedly attached to a portion of the first of said free endsadjacent the outermost end thereof; said first side of said weblikemember including a portion thereof adjacent the end of the second ofsaid free ends formed of micro-filament looped pile fabric for coactingoperatively with said proximal end of said bristly fabric to detachablysecure said free ends adjustably one to the other, said second side ofsaid upper arm weblike member being adapted for contiguously engagingthe users arm with a portion of said second side thereof overlapping aportion of said first side and with said proximal end of said secondpiece of bristly fabric coacting operatively with said looped pilefabric of said first side thereof, and said distal end of said secondpiece of bristly fabric extending rearward of the users arm and engagingsaid outer portion of said chest band means for coacting operablytherewith to further hold said upper arm band means to said chest bandmeans in a manner which pulls the users upper arm

1. A support for immobilizing the shoulder of any one of a wide range ofdifferent size persons, said support comprising elongated chest bandmeans for circumferentially engaging the chest of the person; said chestband means including an inner ply of an open cell plastic foam, an outerpoly of micro-filament looped pile fabric with said inner ply and saidouter poly being bonded one to the other, and first bristly fabric meanshaving a multiplicity of minute resilient hook means on the front sidethereof for coacting operatively with said outer ply, said first bristlyfabric means contiguously engaging said inner ply and being attachedthereto adjacent one end thereof with said front side of said fabricmeans being directed inwardly to overlappingly and grippingly engagesaid outer ply selectively along the length thereof to detachably holdsaId chest band means snugly around the chest of different size persons;elongated upper arm band means including first elongated web means forbindingly engaging the upper arm of the person, second bristly fabricmeans attached to said first elongated web means intermediate thereof todivide said first elongated web means into a pair of free ends, saidsecond bristly fabric means having a multiplicity of minute resilienthook means on the front side thereof for grippingly coacting with saidouter ply of said chest band means to detachably hold said upper armband means to said chest band means at infinite locations along thelength thereof, means for detachably securing said free ends of saidfirst elongated web means adjustably one to the other, and third bristlyfabric means attached to one of said free ends of said first elongatedweb means, said third bristly fabric means having a multiplicity ofminute resilient hook means on the front side thereof for grippinglycoacting with said outer ply of said chest band means to further holdsaid upper arm band to said chest band means in a manner which pulls theperson''s upper arm rearwardly; and wrist cuff means including secondelongated web means for bindingly engaging the wrist of the person,fourth bristly fabric means attached to said second elongated web meansintermediate thereof to divide said second elongated web means into apair of free ends, said fourth bristly fabric means having amultiplicity of minute resilient hook means on the front side thereoffor grippingly coacting with said outer poly of said chest band meansdetachably hold said wrist cuff means at infinite locations on saidchest band means, and means for detachably securing said free ends ofsaid second elongated web means adjustably one to the other.
 2. Thesupport of claim 1in which said fourth bristly fabric means of saidwrist cuff means includes two elongated pieces of said bristly fabricmeans, said two pieces being perpendicularly disposed one with the otherand with the longitudinal axes thereof being obliquely arranged with thelongitudinal axis of said second elongated web means to provide optimumholding power for holding said wrist cuff means to said chest bandmeans.
 3. A support for immobilizing the shoulder of a user, saidsupport comprising elongated chest band means for bindingly engaging thechest of the user, said chest band means including at least an outerportion thereof formed of micro-filament looped pile fabric, means fordetachably holding said chest band means snugly around the chest of theuser; wrist cuff means including an elongated wrist weblike member forbindingly engaging the wrist of the user, bristly fabric means attachedto said weblike member intermediate thereof to divide said wrist weblikemember into a pair of free ends and for detachably holding said wristcuff means to said chest band means, and means attached to said wristweblike member for detachably securing said free ends adjustably one tothe other; said bristly fabric means including at least two elongatedpieces of fabric having a multiplicity of minute resilient hook means onthe front sides thereof for coacting operatively with said outer portionof looped pile, said bristly fabric pieces being disposed with the frontsides thereof directed outwardly from said wrist weblike member in anonparallel relationship one with the other and with the longitudinalaxes thereof being disposed in a non-parallel non-perpendicularrelationship with said weblike member to provide optimum holding powerfor holding said wrist cuff means to said chest band means.
 4. A supportfor immobilizing the shoulder of a user, said support comprisingelongated chest band means for bindingly engaging the chest of the user,said chest band means including at least an outer portion thereof formedof micro-filament looped pile fabric, means for detachably holding saidchest band means snugly around the chest of the user, upper arm bandmeans including an elongated upPer arm weblike member having first andsecond sides thereto for bindingly engaging the upper arm of the userand at least two pieces of a bristly fabric having a multiplicity ofminute resilient hook means on the front sides thereof; the first ofsaid two pieces contiguously engaging said first side of said weblikemember, having said front side thereof directed outwardly from saidfirst side, and being fixedly attached to said weblike memberintermediate thereof to divide said upper arm weblike member into a pairof free ends and for detachably holding said upper arm band means tosaid chest band means at various locations thereon; the second one ofsaid two pieces of bristly fabric having proximal and distal endsthereto and being disposed with the one side thereof contiguouslyengaging said second side of said weblike member, having said front sidethereof directed outwardly from said second side, and being fixedlyattached to a portion of the first of said free ends adjacent theoutermost end thereof; said first side of said weblike member includinga portion thereof adjacent the end of the second of said free endsformed of micro-filament looped pile fabric for coacting operativelywith said proximal end of said bristly fabric to detachably secure saidfree ends adjustably one to the other, said second side of said upperarm weblike member being adapted for contiguously engaging the user''sarm with a portion of said second side thereof overlapping a portion ofsaid first side and with said proximal end of said second piece ofbristly fabric coacting operatively with said looped pile fabric of saidfirst side thereof, and said distal end of said second piece of bristlyfabric extending rearward of the user''s arm and engaging said outerportion of said chest band means for coacting operably therewith tofurther hold said upper arm band means to said chest band means in amanner which pulls the user''s upper arm rearwardly.